Administration

Communications

Culver-Stockton dedicates Leftwich Memorial Plaza
Thursday, May 19, 2011

CANTON, Mo. – The Dorothy E. and Wayne B. Leftwich Memorial Plaza was dedicated Thursday, May 19 on the campus of Culver-Stockton College. The plaza, located on the west side of Carl Johann Memorial Library, serves as an outdoor gathering spot for students and others to enjoy the beauty of the C-SC campus and further enhances the green space surrounding the library, which was developed in 2010.

The landscaped and stone plaza was added thanks to a generous gift from Kay and Frank Ward and Susie and Ron Leftwich. Kay Ward and Ron Leftwich are the children of Dorothy and Wayne Leftwich, for whom the plaza is named.

Married in 1940, Dorothy and Wayne Leftwich were active and distinguished members of their hometown of Elsberry, Mo. Dorothy Leftwich worked in elementary and special education for 40 years and received numerous awards and recognition for her teaching abilities and dedication. She was also active in a number of community organizations. Wayne Leftwich worked in the grocery business for 55 years in various management roles, eventually co-owning a store in Elsberry. He also served as mayor of Elsberry for several years and was active in a number of community organizations.

Ron Leftwich is a 1964 graduate of Culver-Stockton College, the former treasurer of Shell Oil Corporation and current chairman of the Culver-Stockton board of trustees. He and his wife Susie live in Houston, Texas. Their son, David, daughter-in-law, Tara, and granddaughter, Eliot also live in the Houston area. Leftwich, spoke during the dedication ceremony. Leftwich reflected on he and his sister's decision to make a donation in honor of their parents, saying it was their parent’s hard-work that provided them with the opportunity to attend Culver-Stockton.

Kay Ward is a 1968 graduate of Culver-Stockton. After leaving C-SC, Ward went on to spend nearly 30 years working as a teacher in the Florrisant, Mo., area. Now retired, Kay and Frank are still very active with community organizations in the Farmington, Mo., where they reside. Kay and Frank have two children, Ryan and Amy. Amy graduated from Culver-Stockton in 2001 and was most recently the recipient of the C-SC Young Alumni award.

Culver-Stockton College President Richard Valentine lead the dedication ceremony, expressing graditude for the support Leftwich and Ward have provided Culver-Stockton through the years. “The landscaped and stone plaza further enhances this green space, and serves as a wonderful area for our students, faculty, staff and visitors to enjoy the beauty of our campus here on ‘the Hill.’ On behalf of our entire campus community, I would like to thank Kay and Frank Ward and Susie and Ron Leftwich for the generosity and commitment they have shown Culver-Stockton College,” said President Valentine.